In an Omnibus Resolution on the rights of the child, adopted as amended and by a
roll-call vote of 52 in favour and one against (US), with no abstentions, the
Commission urged once again the States that have not yet done so to consider signing
and ratifying or acceding to the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a matter
of priority and its Optional Protocols on the involvement of children in armed
conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. It
called upon States parties to implement the Convention and its Optional Protocols
fully and in accordance with the best interests of the child and to strengthen
relevant governmental structures for children. It further called upon all States to
end impunity for perpetrators of crimes committed against children.

This year's Resolution on the rights of the child was sponsored by Luxembourg as
president for the EU group and, as usual by Uruguay for the Latin American group
(GRULAC). The negotiations on the draft Resolution started on 15 April, and were
attended by many state representatives. Unfortunately, there were hardly any NGOs
present. Few states seemed interested in improving the draft Resolution, and
generally only took the floor to add their own comments and suggestions. Henri-Paul
Normandin, speaking on behalf of Canada, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland,
mentioned that although they were supportive of the draft Resolution, it was still
too long, where repetition of old language was not conducive to the promotion of the
rights of the child. Furthermore, he regretted that the draft had been circulated
too late for review and suggestions by other parties, as co-operation and
transparency were very important on all draft Resolutions, particularly this one as
it attracts so much support from many delegations.

The draft presented by EU Group and GRULAC group consisted of: preamble (PP1-PP12);
I section (implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other
instruments) with 9 articles; II section (protecting and promoting the rights of the
child and non-discrimination against children, including children in particularly
difficult situations) with subparagraphs (non discrimination; freedom from violence;
identity, family relations and birth registration; poverty; health; education; the
girl child; children in particularly situations; children alleged to have or
recognised as having infringed penal law; child labour; recovery and social
reintegration); III section (prevention and eradication of the sale of children,
child prostitution and child pornography); IV section (protection of children
affected by armed conflict); V section (follow-up).

Before the Commission voted on this resolution, the US proposed amendments to: the
Preambular paragraph one and operative paragraph two that recognise the importance
of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC); to the operative paragraph seven
recognising the contribution of the International Criminal Court in defending the
rights of children victims of serious crimes, and ending impunity; finally,
operative paragraphs 16 (d) and (f) addressed the rights of the child to maintain
contact with their parents residing in different states, including in the case of
illegal adoption.

The co-sponsors rejected the proposed amendments as they would undermine the CRC,
(and its Optional Protocols), which has been ratified by 192 states and provides for
a comprehensive normative standard for children's rights. The amendments were
rejected by a vote of 51 against, 1 in favour (US) and one abstention (Pakistan).[Source: CRIN]

For full details, go to:
http://www.crin.org/resources/infodetail.asp?ID=5441&flag='news'

To read the alternative Omnibus Resolution, go to:
http://www.crin.org/CHR/Alternative_Omnibus_Resolution2005.doc

To read the adopted Resolution, go to:
http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=E/CN.4/2005/L.96